Ujjayi Breath

The breathing technique performed with vinyasa is called ujjayi [victorious breath] , which consists of puraka [inhalation] and rechaka [exhalation] (“Ashtanga Yoga”). “Both the inhale and exhale should be steady and even, the length of the inhale should be the same length as the exhale” (“Ashtanga Yoga”). Over time, the length and intensity of the inhalation and exhalation should increase, such that the increased stretching of the breath initiates the increased stretching of the body . Long, even breathing also increases the internal fire and strengthens and purifies the nervous system.